FG, EFCC Must Explain Diezani’s Acquittal — Sambo

The Director of News at Arise Television, Sumner Sambo, has called on the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide Nigerians with a detailed explanation regarding the prosecution of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Prime Time, a programme aired on Arise Television, Sambo reacted to reports that a court in London had discharged and acquitted Alison-Madueke of all charges after an 11-year legal battle.

While acknowledging that the former minister had maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings and had now secured a favourable judgment, Sambo stressed that the outcome raises important questions that government authorities must address.

According to him, Nigerians deserve to know what transpired in a case that had previously been presented as involving the recovery of significant assets and valuables allegedly linked to wrongdoing.

Sambo noted that both the Federal Government and the EFCC had, over the years, informed the public about recoveries connected to the matter. He therefore argued that the authorities should clarify why the final verdict appears to differ from the narrative that had been communicated to Nigerians.

He further stated that it is important for the government and the anti-graft agency to explain whether all relevant evidence and facts were adequately presented to British authorities and what factors may have contributed to the court reaching a different conclusion.

Sambo maintained that transparency on the matter is necessary to help Nigerians understand the circumstances surrounding the case and the reasons behind the outcome.